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Management and Treatment for Cerebral Palsy in Children

Article  in  INDIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE · June 2018


DOI: 10.5530/ijopp.11.2.23

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Case Report

Management and Treatment for Cerebral Palsy in


Children
Padmakar S1*, K Sujan Kumar1, S Parveen2
Pharm-D, P. Rami Reddy Memorial College of Pharmacy [PRRMCP], Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.
1

Department of Pharmacy Assitant Professor, P. Rami Reddy Memorial College of Pharmacy [PRRMCP], Kadapa,
2

Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.

ABSTRACT
‘Cerebral’ – refers to the brain. ‘Palsy’ – can mean weakness or paralysis or lack of muscle control. Therefore,
cerebral palsy is a disorder of muscle control which results from some damage to part of the brain. Cerebral palsy
(CP) is a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation,
that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing foetal or infant brain. The
motor disorders of cerebral palsy are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition,
communication, and behaviour, by epilepsy, and by secondary musculoskeletal problems. Approximately 80% to
90% of children with cerebral palsy have spastic cerebral palsy. The diagnosis of spasticity in children with CP
requires a complete physical examination, with ancillary testing as needed. The aim of treatment is to encourage
the child to learn to be as independent as possible. Some children who have mild cerebral palsy will not have
any problems in achieving independence. For others, it will be a slow process. In some with severe difficulties,
considerable assistance from others will always be needed. Specific treatment varies by individual and changes
as needed if new issues develop. In general, treatment focuses on ways to maintain or improve a person’s quality
of life and overall health. The goal of management of cerebral palsy is not to cure or to achieve normalcy but to
increase functionality, improve capabilities, and sustain health in terms of locomotion, cognitive development,
social interaction, and independence.
Key words: Cerebral palsy, Management, Treatment, Children.

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION disabilities in poor-resource settings (Glad-
Cerebral Palsy is a group of permanent, but stone, 2010). Not only the prevalence of
not unchanging, disorders of movement childhood disability is on the rise and Cerebral
and/or posture and of motor function, which Palsy is one of the costliest chronic condi- DOI: 10.5530/ijopp.11.2.23
are due to a non-progressive interference, tions, but also life expectancies are improving,
Address for
lesion, or abnormality of the developing/ which increases the burden of Cerebral correspondence:
immature brain.1 Palsy (Papavasiliou, 2009). For comparison, in Padmakar S,
the USA, there are approximately 700’000 Pharm.d intership,P. Rami Reddy
Cerebral palsy is primarily a disorder of Memorial College of Pharmacy
children with Cerebral Palsy, 2-5/ 1000 [PRRMCP], Kadapa, Andhra
movement and posture. It is defined as an
born. Pradesh, INDIA.
“umbrella term covering a group of non- Phone no: 9603656446
progressive, but often changing, motor Cerebral Palsy is the most common motor Email Id: spadmakar717@gmail.

impairment syndromes secondary to lesions disability in childhood. The aetiology of com

or anomalies of the brain arising in the early Cerebral Palsy is very diverse and multifac-
stages of its development”.2 torial. The causes are congenital, genetic,
inflammatory, infectious, anoxic, traumatic
and metabolic. Population-based studies
EPIDEMOLOGY from around the world report prevalence
Unfortunately, it is difficult to access and estimates of Cerebral Palsy ranging from
clarify the prevalence and incidence rate of 1.5 to more than 4 per 1,000 live births or www.ijopp.org

104 Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol 11, Issue 2, Apr-Jun, 2018
Padmakar, et al. Management and Treatment of Cerebral palsy in children

children of a defined age range. Most of the children


identified with Cerebral Palsy have Spastic Cerebral
Palsy (77, 4%). Over half of the children identified with
Cerebral Palsy (58, 2%) can walk independently, 11, 3%
walks using a handheld mobility device and 30, 6% has
limited or no walking ability. Many children with Cerebral
Palsy also do have at least one co-occurring condition
(e.g. 41% Epilepsy).3

TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY


There are three types of cerebral palsy that can be
distinguished by their symptoms and management Figure 1:  TYPES OF CEREBRAL PLASY
approaches. The man types of CP are Spastic, Ataxic
and Athetoid cerebral palsy.4 motions. In addition, patients may lose their ability
A. Spastic Cerebral Palsy: This is the most common to hold objects especially small objects that require
type of CP. Spastic CP is characterized by unique some fine or advanced motor control. Such patients
muscle tightness, patients have muscle spasticity as may not be able to hold small objects such as pens,
the main impairment characteristic.5 This type of CP coins and other small objects.5
occurs in at least 70% of all CP cases in the world.
In cases of spastic CP, the disorder is more easily CLINICAL RISK FACTORS FOR CP DURING
manageable as compared to other types since treatment PREGNANCY
through medication can be pursued in several neuro­
There is increasing scientific evidence that CP is usually
logical and orthopaedic approaches. The spasticity
associated with longstanding intrauterine pathology like
of muscles leads to other muscle stress symptoms
genetic mutations and probable environmental triggers
that may include tendinitis and arthritis in individuals
such as bacterial and viral intrauterine infection, intra-
who are 20-30 years old. This type of CP can be
uterine growth restriction (IUGR), antepartum hemor-
managed using occupational and physical therapy
rhage, tight nuchal cord, and threatened miscarriage.6 It
where strengthening, stretching, exercise and other
can be difficult to pinpoint adverse pregnancy factors
physical activities are used to manage the disorder
in retrospect, many years after birth, that individually
on a daily basis. The disorder can also be managed
or together might have triggered the pathways to the
using medications that eliminate spasticity by killing
neuropathology.
the very nerves that cause the disorder.5
B Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: This type of CP is less common Preterm delivery
as compared to spasticity, it may occur in 6-10% of all Preterm delivery is a major risk factor for CP and is seen
cases of CP. Ataxic CP is characterized by “ataxia-type” in approximately 35% of all cases, and the risk increases
symptoms that inflict some cerebellum damage. The the lower the viable gestational age.6,7The risk of sub-
child may exhibit symptoms of unsteady posture. sequent CP <33 weeks’ gestation is 30 times higher
One may also shake while attempting to hold objects than among those born at term and is approximately
with the hand. Such symptoms are part of the motor 70/1000 deliveries.7 The prevalence of CP is highest in
degraded motor skills experienced by the child. One children born <28 weeks’ gestational age (111.8/1000
may have difficulties in their control of motor skills, neonatal survivors; 82.25/1000 live births) and declines
which include typing, writing and holding small with increasing gestational age, being 43.15/1000 live
objects. The child may also show some disorientation births between 28-31 weeks, 6.75/1000 between 32-36
and poor control while walking. Visual and auditory weeks, and 1.35/1000 for those born >36 weeks.8 The
processing may also be affected in ataxic CP. mechanisms and pathways to the neuropathology of CP
C Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: This is also called Dyskinetic may differ from term babies, although associated risk
CP; it occurs in at least 10% of all CP cases. As factors such as infection, genetic variations, and growth
compared to spasticity, the occurrence of this type restriction are likely to contribute.
of CP is relatively low. Patients with this type of
disorder may have challenges in maintaining steady Coexisting congenital anomalies
positioning. Steady sitting and walking is quite prob- The prevalence of congenital anomalies in children
lematic; individuals may show some unintended with CP is much higher than in the general population
Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol 11, Issue 2, Apr-Jun, 2018 105
Padmakar, et al. Management and Treatment of Cerebral palsy in children

and most are cerebral, such as schizencephaly and Viral infection in pregnancy
hydrocephaly.9 Non-cerebral malformations are also Studies using polymerase chain reaction techniques
increased, such as cardiac, musculoskeletal, and urinary.10 on neonatal blood spots from CP cases and controls
In a case-control study of 494 singleton infants with show increased CP risk after both Cytomegalovirus and
CP born >35 weeks’ gestation included on the Western Epstein-Barr virus infections during pregnancy.17
Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies and Epidemiological studies do not associate upper respi-
508 matched controls, birth defects (42.3%) and fetal ratory infections during pregnancy with CP, but some
growth restriction (16.5%) were more strongly associated studies have associated increased risk with bacterial
with CP than potentially asphyxial birth events (8.5%) urinary tract infections.12,18
and inflammation (4.8%).11 Birth defects had the largest
association with CP in that study in both term and Genetic causes of CP
preterm babies. Growth restricted babies with birth Genetic causes have long been suspected because of the
defects were at special risk of CP. The strong association link with congenital malformations, and increased risk
with congenital abnormalities suggests possible genetic in consanguineous families and monozygotic twins.43
factors although congenital infections, nutritional Although initially candidate gene association studies
disorders, and teratogenic influences all contribute to suggested that several genes may be linked to CP, the
maldevelopment. power of these studies was low and multiple comparisons
weakened their validity.19,20
INTRAUTERINE INFECTION
There are many probable antenatal causes of white- DIAGNOSIS
matter damage and risk factors for CP. Some of these Observation of slow motor development, abnormal
causes include damage acquired following perinatal muscle tone, and unusual posture are common initial
infection (i.e., maternal infection that affects the foetus clues to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Assessment
and its brain during pregnancy and/or labour or in the of persistent infantile reflexes is important. In infants
neonatal period).12 Viral or bacterial infections may be who do not have cerebral palsy, the Moro reflex is rarely
relatively silent during pregnancy and not recognized present after six months of age, and hand preference
clinically at the time and the placenta is often discarded rarely develops earlier than 12 months of age. Hand
without histological examination for inflammatory preference may occur before 12 months of age if spastic
pathology. Maternal reports of fever or infection during hemiplegia is present.21 Progressive hereditary neuro-
pregnancy are significantly associated with an increased logic or metabolic disorders must be eliminated as the
risk of CP in our recent large Australian case-control cause of observed abnormalities. The testing strategy is
study.13 Evidence of intrauterine infection, evidenced based on the clinical picture, pattern of development of
by histological chorioamnionitis in the placenta and symptoms, family history, and other factors influencing
membranes or intrapartum pyrexia, is associated with the probability of specific diagnoses. Targeted laboratory
a 4-fold increase in CP (odds ratio 3.8; 95% confidence tests and cerebral imaging using computed tomography,
interval, 1.5e10.1) in term infants.14 magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound are useful
physical diagnostic tools. Surveillance for associated
Intrauterine growth restriction
disabilities such as hearing and vision impairment, seizures,
IUGR is associated with up to a 10 to 30 fold increase perception problems with touch or pain, and cognitive
in the risk of CP at term.15In particular, spastic CP dysfunction can help complete the clinical assessment
increases with the degree of fatal growth restriction. and determine the diagnosis.22
A growth-restricted foetus may show signs of possible
fatal compromise during labour. This can reflect reduced
capacity/reserves to withstand the normal stresses MANAGEMENT
of labour, established neurological and ongoing fatal The goal of management of cerebral palsy is not to
compromise, or both. It is not possible to distinguish cure or to achieve normalcy but to increase functionality,
between these timings. improve capabilities, and sustain health in terms of
locomotion, cognitive development, social interaction,
Multiple pregnancy and independence. The best clinical outcomes result
Multiple pregnancy increases CP risk 2-fold in each from early, intensive management. Optimal treatment
twin. In vitro fertilization twins each have >4-fold risk in children requires a team approach.23 A modern team
(9.5/1000), giving another reason to encourage single approach focuses on total patient development, not
embryo transfer in fertility programs.16 just on improvement of a single symptom. Treatment
106 Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol 11, Issue 2, Apr-Jun, 2018
Padmakar, et al. Management and Treatment of Cerebral palsy in children

programs encompass physical and behavioural therapy, SURGERY


pharmacologic and surgical treatments, mechanical aids, Orthopedic surgery
and management of associated medical conditions. In
Surgery is mainly undertaken on the lower limb, but
physical, occupational, speech, and behavioural therapies,
occasionally in the upper limb. Some children require
the goals include enhancing patient and caregiver inter-
surgery for scoliosis. Physiotherapy is an essential part
actions while providing family support.23
of post-operative management. Gait laboratories are
Management of spasticity is a major challenge to treatment useful in planning the surgical program for children who
team. Various forms of therapy are available to people can walk independently or with sticks or walking frames.
living with cerebral palsy as well as caregivers and parents • The hip: soft tissue surgery is often effective for
caring for someone with this disability. They can all be children when the hip problems are detected at
useful at all stages of this disability and are vital in a CP an early stage (hence the importance of regular
person’s ability to function and live more effectively.24 X-rays). Lengthening of the adductor muscles may
be all that is required in younger children. However,
Oral Medications
if the problem progresses, and especially if it is
Oral medications are a systemic, rather than focal, treat- neglected, more extensive surgery to the hip bones
ment for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Oral is required for a significant number of children. For
medications commonly used in children are baclofen, most children surgery to keep the hips in joint, or
diazepam, clonazepam, dantrolene and tizanidine.25 to put the hips back in joint, is preferable to leaving
the child with a dislocated hip which is frequently
Intrathecal Baclofen
painful in later life.
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) was approved for the treat- • The knee: lengthening of the hamstrings can help
ment of spasticity of cerebral origin in 1996. ITB is a the knee straighten and so improve the walking
surgically implanted system used to control spasticity pattern. Sometimes transferring a muscle from
by infusing baclofen directly into the spinal canal and the front to the back of the knee can also help by
around the spinal cord.26Baclofen inhibits spasticity by reducing stiffness around the knee.
blocking excitatory neurotransmitters in the spinal dorsal • The ankle and foot: This is the commonest area
horn. ITB maximizes the dose delivered to spinal recep- where orthopedic surgery is required. Sometimes
tors and minimizes the side effects associated with oral children require orthopedic surgery in several different
baclofen.27 areas (for example, hip, knee and ankle). Frequently
Botulinum Toxin this now involves a single hospitalization and is
called ‘multilevel surgery’. Multilevel surgery is
Botulinum toxin (BT) injection is now an established of most benefit to children whowalk independently
first-line treatment for focal spasticity. Botulinum toxin or with the assistance of crutches.
type A produces dose-related weakness of skeletal muscle
The best age is usually between 8 and 12 years old
by impairing the release of acetylcholine at the neuro­ although it can occasionally be helpful for older or
muscular junction. This partially interrupts muscle younger children.33
contraction making the muscle temporarily weaker.
Muscles commonly treated with BT include the gastroc-
nemius-soleus complex, hamstrings, hip adductors and TREATMENT FOR THE ASSOCIATED MEDICAL
PROBLEMS
flexor synergy muscles of the upper extremity. Intramus-
cular injections can be localized by surface landmarks, 1. Epilepsy
electromyography stimulation, and/or ultrasound.
Knowledge of epilepsy has increased substantially in
Following injection, muscle relaxation is evident within the past few years. There are many types of epilepsy,
48 to 72 hr and persists for a period of 3 to 6 months. and medication is often prescribed following a careful
Botox injection can help improve a child’s ability to walk diagnosis of the type of seizures and their cause. The
or use hands and allow for a better fitting orthotics by most commonly used anticonvulsants are: Carbamazepine,
reducing spasticity. Therapists can take advantage of Sodium valproate, Lamotrigine, Phenytoin etc.
the time when an overly powerful muscle is weakened
to work on strengthening the muscle on the opposite 2. Saliva control
side of the joint (antagonist). Sometimes, casting of the The speech pathologist plays a central role and can
involved extremity is done after the injection to increase provide strategies to improve dribbling problems.
the stretch of the tight muscle.28-32 When these strategies are not effective, medication is
Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol 11, Issue 2, Apr-Jun, 2018 107
Padmakar, et al. Management and Treatment of Cerebral palsy in children

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